What Season Should You Replace Your Roof?

Spring Valley, NY — February 6, 2013

When scheduling a roof replacement, timing is everything. Although it’s possible to score an impressive deal from a professional roofing company in the off-season, you still need to think twice about replacing a roof in cold, wet winter weather.

Depending on where you live, a roofing company may refuse to do a tear-off and installation when temperatures are below freezing.

If you experience a major issue with your roof in the winter, like a leak or structural damage, a professional roofing company will be able to provide a temporary roof replacement. However, most roofers will recommend waiting until spring, summer, or fall for a complete tear off and replacement.

The best time of year to replace a roof is in the late spring or early summer.

At this time, the weather still needs to be monitored carefully; a roofer must be able to work on a steep roofing surface safely without the risk of slipping in light to heavy rain. In the event of a storm, a roofer also needs to be able to cover the exposed work area quickly to prevent internal damage.

In more temperate climates, like California and the South, roof replacements are more likely to be scheduled year-round. Still, many roofing companies located in southern states take care to avoid scheduling major replacements and renovations during hurricane season.

In Southwestern states, spring and fall are often the best seasons for roof replacement.

Here are several other weather considerations to take into account when scheduling a roof replacement:

Rain: A rainstorm is likely to halt a roofing project immediately since it can cause a serious safety risk for the workers involved. Even worse, a roof replacement or overlay completed in rain will increase the odds of leaking once a job is finished.

Freezing Temperatures: Although it’s possible for a roofer to work in cold temperatures, extreme freezing temperatures will prevent roofing materials from setting properly.

Snowfall can also cause serious delays in a roofing project; try to avoid scheduling a roof replacement in a snowy season, if at all possible.

Heat: Roofers often toil away in hot summer temperatures, although it may not be possible to work in a severe heat wave. A roofer that works in extreme heat is at risk for heatstroke and exhaustion and may need to take frequent breaks, which could increase the length of a project.